My First Book Writing As Tessa Adams: Dark Embers

Today is release day for my first book writing as Tessa Adams, and I'm so excited I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. Most of you know me as Tracy Wolff, but when I moved into the paranormal subgenre, my editor thought it would be a good idea to give me a new name to go along with it-- hence Tessa Adams was born at the same time the Dragon's Heat series was.

Today, I thought I would kickstart release day with an interview with Dylan MacLeod, Hero of Dark Embers and dragon shifter extraordinaire.

Hi Dylan, I guess the first thing I want to do is thank you for making time to speak with me today. I know how busy you are, what with running a clan, trying to stop a deadly virus and trying to find your mate. Your life is so crazy, I’m not sure even I can keep up with everything that’s happening in it. Don’t worry about it, Tessa. You know I always have time for you. Besides, since Phoebe’s come around, I’ve been feeling like my search for a mate is over—even if she isn’t a dragon.

Wow, that’s pretty serious. You’re one of the last full-blooded shifters in existence—falling in love with a human is pretty much a disaster for you, isn’t it? Normally I’d say yes, but … Well, you’ve met Phoebe. It’s almost impossible to consider her anything but magnificent, isn’t it?

You’ve got me there. She is pretty great. Now, since we know each other so well, I hope you don’t mind if I ask you some fairly … intimate questions? Not at all, Tessa. You know I’m an open book.

(Tessa chokes on her caramel latte) Oh, yeah, right. An open book—if you’ve got a crowbar, maybe. But as you’re being so forthcoming … What’s it like being King of the Dragonstar clan. (Dylan sighs) You’ve always got to ask the tough questions, don’t you, Tessa?

Well, it is kind of my job, as your writer and everything. Yeah, yeah. I know. (Another sigh) To be honest, this job pretty much sucks. Oh, don’t get me wrong—it comes with some great perks. Lots of money, a fabulous group of sentries who watch my back and help me keep the clan safe, the biggest cave in the New Mexico desert and a lot of dragon magic on top of that. But that’s not enough, you know, not when I’ve had to watch so many of my people die and have been unable to prevent it. There’s no benefit in the world worth knowing that you are responsible for your people and yet being unable to protect them. It’s a terrible feeling.

The virus isn’t your fault, Dylan. Any more than the fact that Silus and the Wyvernmoons seem to have a vendetta against you. Don’t mention that man’s name to me. I’ve had just about enough of him coming into my territory and trying to destroy everything that I’ve built for my people. I’ve let him escape before, because I haven’t wanted to put my clan through a full out war with the Wyvernmoons, but I’ve had about all I’m going to take from him. We all have. If he shows up again …

Yeah, umm, about that … I’ll try hard to keep him from bothering you again. (Dylan snorts) Now, why don’t I believe that?

Uh, I don’t know (Tessa develops a sudden fascination with the wall behind Dylan’s head). Hey, I thought I was supposed to be the one asking questions in this interview! You always try to hijack things. Well, if you’d just be honest with me, maybe I wouldn’t feel the need to try to control everything while you’re around. But you always blindside me with something new—it makes it hard for a guy to keep his feet under him.

Especially a guy who never planned on being King, right? That’s an understatement. Believe me, I never thought my life would turn out like this. I had planned on striking out on my own, traveling the world--

But then your brother died. Yes, my brother died and I had to assume the throne. It was pretty hard following in his footsteps, considering he was one of the best Kings the Dragonstars ever had. And I’m nothing but a screw-up.

Oh, Dylan, don’t say that. You’ve held the clan together admirably for the last fifty years. Nobody could be expected to go through what you’ve been through-- No offense, Tessa, but I’m not sure you’re really qualified to offer an opinion about me.

I’m your writer! Yes, and that means you’re too close. You can’t see all the mistakes I’ve made. I’ve spent centuries searching for a mate, and haven’t been able to find one who could help me provide an heir to the throne. Plus, the Wyvernmoons have been all over us lately—Silus practices dark magic and he’s been gunning for control of the Dragonstars for nearly three decades. So between constantly fighting him off and now trying to find a cure to this virus that is killing my people, I feel like I’m drowning.

It’ll get better soon, Dylan. I promise. I hope so (shooting Tessa a meaningful look).

So, I know our time is almost up, but I would love it if you would tell me a little about Phoebe. What’s there to tell? She’s one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met in my life and I’ve pinned my clan’s survival on her being able to figure out how to cure this damn disease.

That’s true, and yes, Phoebe is a brilliant scientist, but I was hoping for something a little more personal? Oh, right. Personal. Well, she’s beautiful and funny and stubborn as hell. I’ve never met a more determined woman. Plus, she’s a lot of fun to be around—once you get past her too-cool exterior.

She’s had a rough life. That coolness is her defense mechanism. Believe me, I know. Seeing those scars on her body … (He clenches his fists and grinds his teeth). It makes me want to kill the bastard who put them on her.

I know. I’m sorry. You should be. It sucks that he died before I could ever get my hands on him.

Is there anything else you want to say about Phoebe? Only that she’s incredible—so strong and brave that sometimes it makes me ashamed. When I’m not exasperated with her for disagreeing with everything I say, just to see me get riled up.


I don’t think she disagrees with everything you say. That’s because you haven’t been around much lately—you’ve been too busy writing Quinn and Jasmine’s story. But trust me, it’s true. And now that she’s—

Okay, okay. We don’t want to spoil the ending. Let’s just say there are a lot of surprises in the last quarter of the book. Yeah, they shocked the hell out of me, that’s for sure.

Thanks again for speaking with me, Dylan. I really appreciate it. No problem. But I’ve got to get going now—duty calls. (With a nod, he shifts into his dragon form and flies away).

Dylan is probably my favorite character that I’ve written to date. He’s so strong, self-sacrificing and sexy that I fell for him right away—and that was before I realized how tortured he was as well. If you have time, I’d love to hear about some of the your favorite characters from novels you’ve read. Thanks so much for taking the time to read about Dylan. If you want to see more of him, there’s an excerpt from Dark Embers up at my website: www.tracywolff.com along with a cool contest.